Cde Chenjerai Hunzvi described as a born orator

For charisma alone, there are few Zimbabwean politicians who can match the late Cde Chenjerai Hunzvi, the former leader of the war veterans and MP for Chikomba

.Cde Chenjerai “Hitler” Hunzvi served as Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association from 1997.

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Born on October 23, 1949 in Chiminya, a village in the Mashonaland East province, Cde Hunzvi left the country for RomaniaÂ to pursue his studies.

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He became fluent in Romanian and French, and subsequently began medical studies in Poland.

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Hunzvi first came to prominence when he was arrested at the age of 16 for supporting the nationalist struggle

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He represented ZAPU while in Poland, and in 1979, during his medical studies, Cde Hunzvi visited London to attend the ceasefire and constitutional negotiations for the Lancaster House Agreement.

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He returned to Zimbabwe in 1990, working initially at Harare Central Hospital, and later founding a medical practice in the Budiriro township of Harare. He was elected chairman of the Zimbabwean Liberation War Veterans Association in 1997.

A born orator, he cannily converted the relatively inactive organisation into a political force to be reckoned with.

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Through his influence, a compensation fund was set up to benefit those who were disabled during the liberation war, with the amount paid determined by the degree of disability.

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He was also successful in lobbying for the payment of gratuities for war veterans.

A staunch supporter of the land reform program, Cde Hunzvi also led the war veterans in the land reclamation campaign.

He was subsequently elected to parliament in 2000.He died on June 4, 2001 in Harare’s Parirenyatwa Hospital.

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He was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.He had a son with his second wife and two other marriages brought him four children.